Recruiting
Intravenous Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression
The purpose of this study is to to evaluate the relationships between peak (% change from baseline) central GABA and Glu levels during a 40-min IV ketamine or normal saline infusion utilizing fMRS, and change in peripheral GABA and Glu levels from baseline to 24-hr postinfusion utilizing LCMS, with baseline to 24-hr post-infusion change in depression (MADRS) in 30 TRD adults.
ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT06668571
PhasePHASE2
Enrollment30
SponsorMayo Clinic
Age18 Years
SexALL
Conditions studied
Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant, Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD)
About this study
The purpose of this study is to to evaluate the relationships between peak (% change from baseline) central GABA and Glu levels during a 40-min IV ketamine or normal saline infusion utilizing fMRS, and change in peripheral GABA and Glu levels from baseline to 24-hr postinfusion utilizing LCMS, with baseline to 24-hr post-infusion change in depression (MADRS) in 30 TRD adults.
Interventions
- Drug: Ketamine — The subjects will receive 1:1 single IV racemic ketamine (dosed @0.5 mg/kg actual body weight) (n=15) 40-min infusion in an MRI scanner, followed by an optional open-label ketamine infusion (available to everyone) 1-7 days after the initial treatment
- Drug: Normal Saline — The subjects will receive 1:1 single IV normal saline/placebo (n=15) 40-min infusion in an MRI scanner, followed by an optional open-label ketamine infusion (available to everyone) 1-7 days after the initial treatment
Primary outcomes
- Peak (% change from baseline) Anterior Cingulate Cortex metabolites (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid and Glutamate) (Baseline to the end of 40-minute infusion)
- Change in peripheral Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid and Glutamate levels (Baseline to the end of 40-minute infusion)
- Change in the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (Baseline to 24-hours post-infusion)
- Correlation between the percent change in central (anterior cingulate cortex) Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid and Glutamate levels and the change in depression severity measured using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (Baseline to the end of 40-minute infusion for GABA and Glu. Baseline to 24 hours post-infusion for MADRS)
- Correlation between the percent change in serum Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid and Glutamate levels and the change in depression severity measured using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (Baseline to the end of 40-minute infusion for serum GABA and Glu. Baseline to 24 hours post-infusion for MADRS)
Eligibility information
Inclusion Criteria:
* Ability to provide informed consent
* Meets diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder without psychotic features per the SCID DSM-IV-TR
* PHQ-9 total score ≥ 15 at screening
* Treatment-resistant depression, as defined by failure of at least two previous antidepressant treatments within the current depressive episode. Failed antidepressant treatments can include pharmacotherapy for depression at an adequate dose for at least 8 weeks, trial of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or an acute series of at least 6 administrations of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
* Ability to pass a comprehension assessment test related to effects of ketamine and trial objectives and criteria
Exclusion Criteria:
* Inability to speak English
* Inability to provide consent or have a legal guardian
* Patients with a BMI \> 40 kg/m2.
* Personality disorder being the primary diagnosis
* Diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, or active psychotic symptoms
* Active post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms based on clinical assessment
* Ongoing prescription of \> 2 mg lorazepam equivalents (total) daily, or morning dosing of any benzodiazepine at the time of assessment
* Medications known to affect glutamate (i.e., Riluzole, Carbamazepine) or GABA (zaleplon, zolpidem, zopiclone, Valproate, Gabapentin, Pregabalin, tiagabine, and vigabatrin) are prohibited within two weeks prior to administration of study drug and at least 24 hours after last dose of study drug
* Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) are prohibited two weeks prior to administration of study drug
* Opioid antagonists (naltrexone, naloxone, nalmefene, methylnaltrexone, buprenorphine and naloxone combination) are prohibited within two weeks prior to administration of study drug and at least 24 hours after last dose of study drug
* CYP3A4 inducers carbamazepine and modafinil are prohibited within two weeks prior to administration of study drug and at least 24 hours after last dose of study drug.
* Currently undergoing TMS, vagal nerve stimulation, or deep brain stimulation as either an acute or maintenance treatment of depression
* ECT in the past 6 months
* Any active or unstable medical condition judged by the study psychiatrist as conferring too great a level of medical risk to allow inclusion in the study
* A history of bleeding in the brain
* Arteriovenous malformation or a history of aneurysm
* Use of methamphetamine, cocaine, or cannabis. Abuse of stimulant (s) within the prior 12 months
* Any current substance use disorder (excluding nicotine and caffeine). Note: Persons will be allowed to enroll in this study if their substance use is in complete (not partial) and sustained (\> 1 year) remission
* History of traumatic brain injury that resulted in loss of consciousness with brain bleeding
* History of tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures
* Developmental delay, intellectual disability, or intellectual disorder
* Clinical or self-reported diagnosis of delirium, encephalopathy, or related clinical diagnosis within the prior 12 months
* Minor or Major Neurocognitive disorder
* Received ketamine treatment for depression within the prior 2 months
* History of either poor antidepressive response to or poor tolerability of ketamine (any route of administration) when previously administered
* History of hypothyroidism unless taking a stable dose of thyroid medication and asymptomatic for 3 months
* Hepatic insufficiency (2.5 X ULN for AST or ALT) within 3 months of consent, past liver transplant recipient, and/or clinical diagnosis of cirrhosis of the liver
* Gastroesophageal reflux disease that is poorly managed
* A diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
* Pregnancy, or nursing
* History of claustrophobia with active symptoms that would interfere with the MRI
* Any contraindication to MRI safety questionnaire
* Poorly controlled hypertension.
Study locations
- Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota 55905 United States
Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.